The machismo of the Athenian Empire - or the reign of the phaulus

Following Octavian's success in 31 bc against M. Antonius and Cleopatra at Actium, cities throughout the Greek East commemorated the first Roman emperor with divine honours. He was recognized as a god, and the Greeks set up fully functioning cults, with priesthoods and festivals conducted in his name. By 29 bc, that is, within a two year period, large numbers of Greek cities had instituted some form of imperial cult, while the Roman provinces of Asia and Bithynia had established provincial cults with associated temples, priesthoods and games.1 The implementation was so rapid that there are few doubts of the willing participation of the Greeks in its conception. Some scholars have even suggested quite plausibly that the main impetus for instituting such honours came from the cities themselves, not from the imperial authorities.2

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